The Hollywood sign's long history of glory and decrepitude (pictures)

Probably the world's most famous sign, 90 years ago it was just a temporary advertisement. But thanks to Playboy's Hugh Hefner, it still stands tall over Tinseltown. CNET Road Trip 2012 gets up close.

Read More

Decrepit Hollywood sign

HOLLYWOOD -- It's arguably the most famous sign on the planet, and without question it is the single most visible symbol of the entertainment industry: The Hollywood sign. Next year, the worldwide icon turns 90 -- or at least it will be 90 years since a large sign containing the letters "H, O, L, L, Y, W, O, O, and D" was mounted on the side of the hill overlooking the movie capital of the world.

But it wasn't always so glamorous. The sign had long years of neglect, as seen here, before being rebuilt in 1978.

These days, the sign stands tall above Tinseltown, and members of the public are welcome to hike near it. But for security reasons, they can't get right up next to it. Yesterday, as part of Road Trip 2012, CNET reporter Daniel Terdiman got a chance for a special visit to the sign itself, and an education about its history, and what it needs for the future.

Hollywoodland sign

In 1923, a company called Hollywoodland Property started selling plots of land and building houses on the side of the Santa Monica mountains. Planned to be up for just a year and a half, the "Hollywoodland" sign -- a 50-foot-tall by 800-foot-long advertisement tried to lure in potential buyers. It featured 4,000 lightbulbs that would flash at night.

Decrepit

In 1949, the Hollywoodland sign was in horrible disrepair and local residents demanded that it be removed. Instead, the city of Los Angeles decided to build a new sign touting Hollywood. But by 1978, that sign itself had become decrepit, as seen in this photo taken from the same location as the current-day previous image.

That year, a group led by Playboy magnate Hugh Hefner decided to rebuild the sign. Hefner hosted a fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion and raised $275,000 for the project. The "W" is dedicated to Hefner.

WOOD

Another close-up look at the current Hollywood sign. The Hollywood Sign Trust is hoping to raise the money in the next year -- to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the sign -- to repaint it. It has been around five years since the last repainting.

Security cameras

The site is monitored by security camera 24 hours a day because of the dangers of the public climbing up or down to the sign. The hillside is extremely steep, meaning those who try to reach it could fall. And there is additional danger of fire. Plus, officials worry that some people might vandalize it.

Wood posts

Though the current Hollywood sign is entirely made out of corrugated steel and is mounted on a metal frame, the original letters in the Hollywoodland sign were mounted on wood posts. Today, these two posts are a reminder of what was once there.